Everything a newbie would need to know about the 4001C64

[kkawachi]

Hello all,

I'm a new member, signed up to eventually get my hands on a C series 4001C64 in Fireglo.

Need to get to my hundred posts, but might as well learn something along the way. Can anyone start me in my education in this bass I have my heart set on? Not that knowledgeable about technical bass stuff...but trying to learn.

I guess my first question is...is this retail model as close as it gets (without being lefthanded) to the bass McCartney got in 65?
Are there any "inaccuracies"?

Thanks, and I hope to learn alot about this model.

Kyle

[jps]

Welcome, Kyle!

The post count has been changed to 30! So, you are a lot closer than you thought!

[beatlefreak]

Welcome to the forum, Kyle. The biggest inaccuracy with the 4001C64 is that the headstock is reversed (as if the 4001 were normally a left handed model, and someone ordered a right handed one). This makes it different than any other Rickenbacker bass.

[kkawachi]

I actually like the reversed headstock, its one of the reasons I want this particular model above other Rics.

I was wondering if the pickups are true to 60's form, Ive heard some of the toaster pickups are not quite as vintage as some would like and need adjustment.

Also, wondering if McCartney's was a single piece neck, as some of the latest factory models have a double piece neck. I would want to get the one closest as possible to his before the adjustments he made.

[jps]

I was wondering if the pickups are true to 60's form

The RI horseshoe pickup is quite different in concept and construction from the old HS pickup.

[kkawachi]

been reading up on these pickups today.

seems that the toaster is pretty accurately "wound" according to the reviews I am reading.

and the horseshoe has a new way of being magnetized but is engineered to have the same sound as Paul's would have, complete with a bass cut circuit that some circumvent.

Any more info about the neck? I think a sticking point for me will be a one piece neck, so I will have to avoid these newer production models, unless Paul's was a two piece neck.

[jps]

Paul's was not like the new, current two piece neck, it was a single piece.

[kkawachi]

eggcelent one question down.

So i will be in the market for an earlier 2000's release of the 4001C64 in FireGlo.

any recomendations for dealers? I was leaning toward North Coast Music since he usually adjusts the bass for great Beatles playability before shipping, but he'll probably be getting only new stock with the two piece necks (unless this suddenly reverts)

Any other suggestions and a price range I should keep in mind. The better the steal the sooner I can "spring"!

Kyle

[kkawachi]

one additional question that has just come up.

Does the 4001C64 come with Ric-O-Sound capacity?

[rickinroma]

no rick-o-sound, it is mono

I would not be so obsessioned about the reissue horseshoe being 100% the same as in the 60s. In the early years of his use of the Rickenbacker (the Beatles era), Paul must have used the HS pretty rarely

[kkawachi]

Good info to know! thanks!

Wish it came with Ric-O-Sound, was looking forward to splitting my signal between a Bass and guitar amp!

[beatlefreak]

Switch out the jack assemblies with this. It;s what I did with my 360/12C63:

http://www.rickenbacker.com/cart.asp?vi ... lectronics

[kkawachi]

might think about it!

wouldn't be too keen on changing the outer jackplate and changing the body though.

feel free to chime in with on my other inquiries guys!

im here to learn!

[beatlefreak]

You wouldn't have to change either the jackplate or the body - Just remove the jack assembly, replace it with the one shown, and remove one wire (to separate the pickup outputs).

[kkawachi]

wow very nice!

i definately will have to try that then.

Can you still output in mono or do you have to give that up for the Ric-O-Sound capability?

sorry, I have much to learn!